Whitworth in 2010: A Picture
Whitworth in 2010 is recognized in regional and national circles for the combination of its academic excellence and Christian commitment. Key facilities have either been added or planned in the arts, the sciences, administration, and residential-life areas, and fund-raising is well under way toward a new indoor athletics complex. Faculty and staff compensation has continued to rise toward the median of our comparable peer institutions. The overall SAT scores of our student body have risen 3%, to an average of 1800, reflecting a gradual improvement in the academic profile of our student body. The student profile is 5% more diverse in terms of underrepresented ethnic groups and geography, and it reflects a more balanced gender ratio. The total size of the full-time undergraduate matriculated-day student body is 2,000, with 65% living in college-owned housing.

The academic program in the liberal arts and sciences is noticeably stronger, as reflected in higher placement rates in medical school, law school, and graduate school. The undergraduate research conference has become a major yearly event reflecting the greater number of collaborative student/professor projects, and an honors program is fully implemented. The institution has adopted more sophisticated tools for assessing the quality of teaching and learning. Interdisciplinary work is in greater evidence across the campus, and full-time faculty are using appropriate technology in and out of the classroom. Whitworth has established its first overseas site for educating students. The international emphasis of the college is reflected in a stronger global emphasis in its curriculum. The shift toward non-Western expressions of Christianity, as well as the need to engage non-Christian religions and cultures of the world, drives many discussions about how to prepare Whitworth students for this changing world. Whitworth is recognized as a major partner in the transformation and "re-neighboring" of the West Central community in Spokane, with more than 50 students working and living in the neighborhood.

The programs for nontraditional undergraduate students are highly regarded in the greater Spokane area for their quality. New graduate programs seeking to meet unmet needs for advanced study have been explored in business, education, and religion. These programs have been implemented if and when the tests of market, margin, and mission have been met.

Faculty are producing more scholarship that is recognized for its contribution to both the Christian world and the secular academy. Whitworth is seen as a national model for the integration of faith and learning. The college is intellectually vibrant; our culture features more shared intellectual experiences, and Whitworth is a more grace-filled community, as marked by its practices of hospitality toward all.

Students associate the residential-life program with a high degree of personal responsibility in a context of clear behavioral moorings. Whitworth compares favorably with all of its competitors in terms of the leadership opportunities for students, and faculty work collaboratively with Student Life staff to provide programming that engages students with the broader culture. Service-learning opportunities have continued to expand, and they reflect the ways in which the student-life and academic programs are coordinated. A rising percentage of students has engaged in experiential learning, in the United States and around the world, that helps them understand the connection between what they study and the college's mission to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity.

The overall sense of community on campus remains strong. Corporate worship draws more people from our campus community. Spiritual mentoring of students by both faculty and staff continues to mark the ethos of the college. The connection between theological reflection and one's calling and vocation continues to be a college distinctive. A stronger institutional commitment to employee training is reflected in more effective service to students and greater job satisfaction for staff.

The Whitworth ethos is marked by "truth and grace," in the words of the apostle John. Faculty, students, and staff are free to share their convictions about all aspects of the world. At the same time, faculty, staff, and students are aware that humility, grace, and warmth toward others who do not share their convictions are essential marks of the Whitworth community.

Career advising, resume building and vocational mentoring are part of the many ways in which faculty and staff are assisting students in making the transition from Whitworth into their chosen fields. The institution is much better at telling the stories of its alums.

From graduate and professional school placement rates to greater numbers of students who achieve post-undergraduate fellowships, the institution tells a better story of the impact of a Whitworth education on the larger world. Graduates who lead lives that reflect their concerted effort to integrate their Christian worldview commitments are featured in a variety of institutional publications. Alums experience more pride in their institution and a higher percentage give consistently to the college.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) regionally and nationally recognizes the role that Whitworth plays in serving the denomination in a variety of capacities such as preparing students for graduate theological education and training. In addition, the college is well known regionally for the innovative programs offered by the Weyerhaeuser Center – programs aimed at revitalizing the church and strengthening pastoral and lay leadership. In addition, other denominations look to Whitworth to provide resources and programming. As a consequence, financial support for the college from churches has shown a steady increase since 2005.

Whitworth has begun the public phase of its next capital campaign. From facilities and endowed chairs to strategic initiatives such as the Center for Christian Faith and Learning, Whitworth has seen increased dollars supporting necessary functions. An improved culture of giving is reflected in greater support from foundations, individuals, both alums and others, as well as faculty and staff.

• Strong and well-articulated commitments to rigorous and open intellectual inquiry and to faith-learning integration in a community that encourages civil discourse and individual responsibility
• Academic strengths in sciences and the arts
• Co-curricular strengths in international/cross-cultural study, intercollegiate athletics, student leadership programs, service-learning and vocational discernment
• Documented ability to place students in careers or graduate/professional schools of their choice
• Beautiful campus with excellent facilities and technology
• Sustained commitment to the highest level of service and personal attention to students by faculty and staff
• Collaboration between Academic Affairs and Student Life

• Annual alumni giving rate is 30%.
• Faculty/staff giving rate is 50%.
• Annual unrestricted giving to The Whitworth Fund is $1.5 million.
• Number of individuals who have included Whitworth in their estate plans is 500.
• Endowment is increased to $100 million.
• Number of students who, upon graduation from Whitworth, have been accepted into graduate school, medical school, seminary, or law school is 100.
• Number of students who receive prestigious post-graduate fellowships/scholarships (Rhodes, Fulbright, Humphrey, Mellon, Truman, Goldwater, Rotary, etc.) is at least five per year.
• Proportion of students who complete international/cross-cultural study experience before graduation is 75%.
• Proportion of students (not going to graduate school or seeking teaching employment) who have jobs upon graduation is 80%.
• Freshman applications for traditional undergraduate enrollment stand at 2,500.
• Average SAT score for incoming freshman consistently exceeds 1800 out of 2400 (new scoring metric).
• Proportion of incoming freshmen who graduated in the top 25 percent of their high-school class is 85%.
• Proportion of incoming freshmen who are from under-represented ethnic group is 15%.
• Faculty/staff salaries are at the median of Whitworth's 30-member peer group.
• Proportion of students and alumni/parents who give Whitworth an "excellent" rating for academic reputation and for career preparation in the ASQ survey and the Whitworth constituent marketing survey, respectively is increased by 10%.
• U.S. News academic reputation score is up to 3.9.
• Proportion of employees who report that Whitworth is a superior place to work in Best Christian Workplaces survey is 70%.
• Proportion of employees who report they are paid fairly, compared with peers in other Christian organizations in Best Christian Workplaces survey, is 75%.